Steelmate’s SW828V2 is a 2ch active subwoofer with colorful music backlight, intelligent volume control and MP3 input. Its main pass power channel is 43Wx43W, distortion is 1 percent and low pass channel power is 86W.

Makers waiting in the wings with enhanced sound quality, and compact, slim and easy-to-install designs.

Leading car speaker suppliers in China are developing new structures and experimenting on new materials to attain hi-fi sound quality, optimize car speaker installation based on sound field analysis, introduce slim and compact designs, and enhance conversion efficiency and small-speaker frequency response. These development trends are spurred by the increasing market for high-performance car speakers and car entertainment products in general.

There are about 50 car speaker manufacturers and exporters in China supplying coaxial speakers, tweeters and subwoofers. Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian and Jiangsu provinces are the key production hubs, with almost 95 percent of the region’s total supplier base located in these areas.

China makers and exporters are primarily engaged in OEM/ODM business, which account for more than 90 percent of their total exports. With lower manufacturing costs and shorter delivery lead times, China-made car speaker exports have larger volumes and lower prices. Annual production capacity is more than 5 million units, about half of which are exported to Western Europe, North America and the Middle East.

At present, one of the challenges faced by most China makers is the entry of foreign car speaker suppliers, such as Turkey’s Seger, in the local market. Although, this scenario opens opportunities for raw material sourcing and technological innovations, problems may arise in terms of similar product ranges being offered.

China makers expect FOB prices to increase by about 20 percent in 2008, due to the skyrocketing raw material and labor costs, aggravated by the appreciating yuan.

China makers are improving power output, SPL or sensitivity and frequency response, and resistance to high temperature, moisture and impact by using quality raw materials. The TW6003 released by Zhejiang Innuovo Loudspeaker Co. Ltd delivers a maximum 200W power. It has a 6.5in glass fiber cone woofer and a 20oz magnet. Its frequency response range is from 35Hz to 22kHz and impedance is 4ohm. Zhejiang Innuovo’s key export markets are Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea.

Aluminum, PP and titanium are used for tweeter speaker frames, and aluminum, ceramic, glass fiber and wood for cones. Unconventional colors like metallic red, blue, silver and gray are popular for cones. Jiaxing Jinlida Electron Co. Ltd released a 12in car speaker, model AR12, which has an aluminum frame with a red PP cone. Its power output is 250W rms, SPL is 90dB and impedance is 4ohm or 8ohm. Europe, the US and the Middle East are the company’s top three export markets.

Model GCF-10D, a 10in subwoofer developed by Shenzhen Dongyuan Electronics Co. Ltd, has a 200W rms power output and 86dB SPL. Shenzhen Dongyuan’s other model, the GCT-12, is a 12in subwoofer with a 200oz magnet, and boasts 800W rms power output and 88dB SPL. A similar model, the GCT-15 is a 15in subwoofer with 1,000W rms power output and 90dB SPL.

Aside from 1ch/2ch speaker systems, 3ch/4ch and 2.1ch/4.1ch speaker systems are emerging alongside 6x9in ellipse speakers. At present, the impedance ratings of mainstream speakers are still at 4ohm and 8ohm.

Wider dynamic range, smaller form factor, and easier operation and installation are trends in the car speaker industry. The new subwoofers produced by Steelmate Co. Ltd are smaller in size and multifunctional, and have wider dynamic ranges. A wider dynamic range enables smaller speakers to produce larger, bigger sounds. Multifunctionality, on the other hand, refers to multimedia input and wired remote control.

To save more space, metal active subwoofers with wired remote controls are being designed by Steelmate for installation under car seats. Model SW813, an enhanced version of the company’s popular SW826, is a 6.95cm metallic Mosfet car speaker with a wired remote volume adjuster, 80W rated power, 160W maximum power, RCA speaker input level and adjustable low pass filter.

To complement audio enhancements, makers are expanding car speaker connectivity to enable interface with portable entertainment devices used onboard. They are also developing models with lower power consumption, radiation and interference features.

Steelmate’s new car speakers feature connectivity to multimedia players like MP3/MP4 and iPod players. In terms of cosmetic design, Steelmate is also focusing on sleek form factors and metallic finishes.

Another new model from Steelmate, the SW828V2, is a 2ch active subwoofer with colorful music backlight, intelligent volume control and MP3 input, and a wired remote control in an aluminum casing. It has a Texas Instruments car amplifier chipset. The music backlight has four frequency options. The main pass power channel is 2x43W, distortion is 1 percent and low pass channel power is 86W.

‘Greener’ and ‘safer’ units are the key development terms for new models set for launch in 2008. This year, Steelmate plans to use new raw materials and introduce more functions into its models.

For new raw materials, Steelmate plans to release specialized solutions geared toward minimizing radiation and interference, and specific to various car environments. These specialized solutions will also have enhanced amplifier power output and minimized amplifier battery consumption.

Steelmate’s car speakers are on offer from $50 to $1,000. The company mainly exports to Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Interviewed makers have been in the audio industry for five to more than 20 years. All boast manufacturing capability that includes in-house product development.

Steelmate has been in the car speaker industry for more than five years, specializing in active car subwoofers with 2.1ch and 4.1ch models. The Guangzhou-based company has an 80,000sqm factory in Zhongshan, and employs about 1,500 workers.

Steelmate has an in-house R&D team and molding center for PCB design and layout, product design, software programming, structure design and packaging design. Its factory has 15 SMT machines and 10 ICT stations. QC procedures are conducted using signal generators, EMI simulators, digital oscilloscopes, UV ray testing machines, salt water spray machines, temperature shock testing machines, vibration test machines, and extreme temperature and humidity chambers.

Established in 1985, Zhejiang Innuovo is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of loudspeakers for professional and home A/V, communication and car audio applications in China. The company’s annual output of speakers is about 100 million units, with Harmon and Fiat among its top buyers.

Zhejiang Innuovo operates an in-house acoustic research institute with 60 technicians and engineers, and also has collaborations with the Acoustic College of Nanjing University for product development. Zhejiang Innuovo’s 60,000sqm factory in Dongyang, Zhejiang, is certified under the ISO 9001:2000 and QS 9000 standards. It has more than 2,000 production workers and 100 QC workers.

Shenzhen Dongyuan focuses on the production of electroacoustic devices, such as loudspeaker drivers, audio amplifiers, and crossovers and loudspeakers, for the past 10 years. The company’s 320,000sqm factory, which has a production capacity of 50 million units, consists of two 5-story factory buildings, two 6-story dormitory buildings, and a 5-story office building.

Jiaxing Jinlida’s manufacturing facilities are located in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, and cover 30,000sqm. The company’s monthly output is more than 100,000 car speakers, 85 percent of which are exported. Jiaxing Jinlida has an R&D team consisting of 12 engineers.